Stewardship

Help us to GROW

What is Christian Stewardship?

Stewardship is not our responsibility TO the church, but our responsibility AS the church.

Gratitude: The Christian Steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully.

Response and responsibility: A recognition that the gifts have been given for a purpose. As Christians, we are called to be good Stewards of God’s resources. The good Steward is one who cherishes and tends God’s gifts in a responsible manner.

Openness and generosity: Our lives and abilities and possessions are gifts from God to be enjoyed and used in His service. For the Christian Steward, to be open and generous with our faith and our gifts is a responsibility, a duty and a joy.

Willingness to give back with increase: Jesus counsels us in his parables to use our talents wisely, and free from fear. To develop and grow them and return them with thanks for the blessings we have received.

Why Give?

Because God gives, providing the means – stirring us to faith and love.For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that, by his poverty you might become rich – II Cor. 8:9 NRSV

Because God in Christ asks us to give.You received without payment; give without payment. – Matt. 10:8 NRSV

Because the church is born to serve.For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared to be our way of life. 1 Cor. 16:2 NRSV

Christian Stewardship is about committed giving to the Church. It is more than an appeal for funds or to raise money to meet the church budget. Your giving is focused on our ministry and mission, on making a difference in the lives of the people and not simply on the survival of an institution. Above all we want you to give because you know the grace of God poured out to you in Christ. Certainly, however we do have very real financial needs.

The Need

The expected reduction in income, caused by the financial crisis, leaves us with an anticipated deficit of £24,000 on a total expenditure of some £356,700. (See Short Guide to Church Finances 2009)

Our declared policy is that Stewardship: Regular Planned Committed Tax Effective Giving should meet the cost of the Common Fund (paid to the Diocese) and of employing Father Mark as Assistant Priest and Church Administrator. This amounts to £75,000.

The current stewardship commitment is £51,000, a deficit of £24,000. This is the additional figure that we need to raise in 2009 if we are not to have major cuts in the facilities and services we offer.

It is imperative that we raise funds to meet this deficit if we are to survive and operate in the manner in which are currently able to.

How to Give

Regular, Planned, Committed Tax Effective Giving allows us to prepare an annual budget in the knowledge that a proportion of our necessary expenditure – for the running of the church and its ministry – is covered by the committed giving of our congregation.

Clearly, some of us can afford more and some of us cannot – the important thing is the principle of the commitment itself.

Think and pray about what you can give in return for the gifts you have received. Start where you can, but make a start.

Write down your annual income.

Choose a percentage: The average donation is 0.8% of your salary (£240 from £30,000) although the recommended amount (as outlined by the Charities Aid Foundation: CAF) is 1.5% (£450 from £30,000). Please do try to give at least 1%.

Determine your annual pledge. If you wish to pay weekly, divide by 52. If you wish to pay monthly, divide by 12.